US3102950A

US3102950A - Automatic operating means for accounting machines

Info

Publication number: US3102950A
Application number: US840701A
Authority: US
Inventors: William C Arnold; Chester N Jorgensen
Original assignee: NCR Corp
Current assignee: NCR Voyix Corp; National Cash Register Co
Priority date: 1959-09-17
Filing date: 1959-09-17
Publication date: 1963-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 1980-09-03
Also published as: GB895369A; CH378574A

Description

p 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 17, 1959 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD a CHESTER N. JORGENSEN THEIR ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1963 AUTOMATI C Filed Sept. 17, 1959 FIG. 2

W. C. ARNOLD ETAL OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. ll

wrLum g fioLo a CHESTER n'..:oassuss- BY W a K44 WXMQ THEIR ATTORNEYS P 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD B CHESTER N. JORG 22% FlG.4

THEIR ATTORNEYS Se t. 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTGMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 1'7, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5

ENTORS WILLI G. ARNOLD a CHESTER N.JORGENSEN BY ma THEIR ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.8

INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD 5 THEIR ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD a CHESTER qJORGENS N m ZWM/Q THEIR ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. 17, 1959 INVENTORS WILLIAM G. ARNOLD B on TER n..;oasensa- BY [5 Al THEIR ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 1'7, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. l3

INVENTORS WILLIAM QARNOLD 8| CHE TER N.JORGENSEN BY M2 4 4i WK THEIR ATTORNEYS P 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD 8: CHESTER N. JORGENSEN Y WW 6 THEIR ATTORNEYS P 3, 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD 8 CHESTER N. JORGENSEN BY mozifwgj THEiR ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Sept. 1'7, 1959 0 ammmx u Emmmx INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD B CHESTER N JORGENSEN w. 0E 8N -H O momx 39+ 89. 8% ma! 2% ma! M! Na! 6%. =8. EN EN EN 8 m3 m EN M N w E L H 31 H 22% H 22% H EQ L H =58! -v 88m 38% 88% -88 68m 38 38 t w: H L

THEIR ATTORNEYS w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 Sept. 3, 1963 Filed Sept. 1'7, 1959 c STER N.JORGENSEN BY M THEIR ATTORNEYS INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD B F 2 W M 163$. 608! 3 o F|||||IF 9 @809. Q 0 H b ONdE P 1963 w. c. ARNOLD ETAL 3,102,950

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 nmmx mwmx own immux mmmbyamm ummwmaw NmFNmW :mmmmx d namo-x owmx mNN oE INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD 8 CHESTER N. JORGENSEN BY 2 w 41 M/ia THEIR ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Sept. 17, 1959 mommm 58mm 2.88 I -30: 8-V 8 50M F Em WW mmmow 8m w 4. TI

893. v8 L 80. 858v. 0 0 Enmfim g 58% INVENTORS WILLIAM C. ARNOLD a CHESTER N. JORGENSEN K4 THEIR ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofice 3,102,950 Patented Sept. 3, 1963 3,102,950 AUTOMATIC OPERATING MEAYS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES William C. Arnold and Chester N. Jorgensen, Dayton,

Ohio, assignors to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Filed Sept. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 840,701 22 Claims. (Cl. 235--61.7)

This invention relates to automatic operating means for accounting machines, and more particularly relates to means for elfecting automatic data input and operation control of an accounting machine, so that a plurality of accounts or transactions can be automatically processed by an accounting machine without the need of any human intervention or assistance.

The increasing amount of paper work required to he handled in almost all types of commercial establishments has created considerable demand for accounting machines or devices which are capable of rapid, accurate account keeping and which require the attendance of a minimum number of human operators. This is particularly true in the banking field, where a very large volume of checks and deposits must be handled during each accounting period for many of the checking accounts maintained in the bank. A recent deveiopment in accounting machines particularly suited for bank applications is a machine which is capable of utilizing ledger cards having magnetically-coded information thereon, and which can pick up the magnetically-coded information from the ledger card when the ledger card is inserted into the machine, without the necessity for manual entry of this data by a machine operator. This machine represents a considerable advance in bank accounting procedures and enables a very considerable saving in time and numbers of operators to be realized. Another recent development is that of a feeding device which is adapted for use with an accounting machine of the above-mentioned type, and which is capable of automatically feeding the ledger cards into the accounting machine without the necessity for any human assistance.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide means capable of sensing data from a record medium such as perforated paper tape, and controlling an accounting machine :and a feeding device, which may be of the above-mentioned types, to cause the input of such sensed data into the accounting machine according to a predetermined arrangement. Such data may include amount information to be added to or subtracted from the balance of a particular account, such as checks and deposits; identification information such as an account number to insure that the amount information is entered on the correct account; and control information pertaining to the type of transaction, such as check or deposit, and also including a signal for initiation of operation of the accounting machine. Solenoid-operated means are provided in association with the keyboard of the accounting machine for operation of the various keys, and are energized according to the signals sensed from the tape to ettect entry of the information into the accounting machine. In addition, various interlocks and control circuits interconnect the accounting machine, the sensing device, and the feeding device to insure operation of these mechanisms in the proper sequence, and to prevent the entry of erroneous information.

It is contemplated that in normal usage of the sensing device, it will be used in association with both the accounting machine and the feeding device, so that a completely automatic accounting operation is possible. However, in some instances, it may be desired to operate the accounting machine by means of the sensing device without use of the feeding device, and this too is possible.

Accordingly, it is an ob ect of the present invention to provide means for controlling an accounting machine in accordance with information sensed from record media.

Another object is to provide a mechanism capable of automatically processing a plurality of accounts, including the entering of the individual items on such accounts, and the production of new balances for these accounts, without the necessity for a human operator.

An additional object is to provide means, in a machine accounting system, for relating data taken from one type of record medium to data taken from another type of record medium, and for rejecting the data taken from one of said record media it the related data do not correspond.

A further object is to provide means, in a machine accounting system, for relating data taken from two different types of record media, rejecting one of said types of record media and its data if the related data do not correspond, counting the number of successive rejections, and preventing operation of the system after a predetermined number of rejections.

A further object is to provide means for entering data into an accounting machine from a plurality of dilferent types of record media, producing a balance from said data, and effecting a desired one of a plurality of different predetermined results which may be selected to take place in the event of an overdraft balance.

Another object is to provide a mechanism capable of automatically processing a plurality of accounts, including the entry and recording on record cards of individual items on such accounts, and the producing and recording on record cards of new balances for these accounts, with automatic means to prevent further operation of the mechanism in the event that the recording capacity of a record card is reached.

An additional object is to provide means, in a machine accounting system, for sensing data from record media, and for disabling the sensing means in the event that the sensed data do not conform to a predetermined code.

Still a further object is to provide means, in a machine accounting system, for relating comparison data taken from one type of record medium to comparison data taken from another type of record medium, for rejecting the data taken from one of said types of record media if the related data do not correspond, and for manually introducing comparison data into the system when appropriate.

Another object is to provide means, in a machine accounting system, for sensing and entering data from two different types of media, the means for sensing data from one of the types of media being disabled in the event of an incorrect sensing of data from the other of the types of media.

With these and other objects, which will become apparent from the following description, in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components making up the system of the present invention, including the accounting machine, the ledger card feeding device, and the tape-reading mechanism, shown in operative relation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the control board of the tape-reading device.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the mechanical tape-sensing means used in reading the punched paper tape.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the clutch mechanism for 3 engaging and disengaging the cam line of the tape-reading device with and from the motor which powers it.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the tape-feeding mechanism for the tape reader.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the means for controlling the tape-reading pins and the associated contact levers.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the means for operating the contacts controlled by the tape reader cam. line.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the tape-reading unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an amount bank of the accounting machine, showing the solenoid-type operating means for actuating the keys of the accounting machine.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9, showing a cross-sectional view of one of the keys and its associated solenoid-type operating mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of a section of the perforated tape used in the present invention.

FIGS. 12 to 21, inclusive, 22A, 22B, and 22C show the electrical circuitry employed in the present invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, an accounting machine 31 is shown in operative relation to a ledger card feeder 32 and a tape-reading unit 33. In order to explain clearly the construction and operation of the device of the present invention, it is considered desirable first to describe briefly the functioning of the accounting machine 31 with which the card-feeding device 32 and the tape-reading device 33 are associated in the present embodiment.

The accounting machine 31 is controlled in part by ledger cards 34, shown in stacked formation in the feeding device 32. On the ledger cards 34 is printed the usual information pertaining to the account, such as the check and deposit entries, the balances after each transatcion entry, the check count, the sign of the balance, the date, etc. In addition, the card has recorded thereon magnetically the last balance and related data, such as the account number, the sign of the balance, the check count, and the number of the line on which the next entry is to be printed on the ledger card. Magnetic reading and recording means in the accounting machine read the information magnetically encoded on the card and enter this information into the machine. Upon completion of posting of an account, the old magnetically-encoded information is erased and replaced with new information.

The accounting machine 31 is also controlled by information read from a paper tape 79 (FIGS. 1 and 11) by the tape reader 33 and transmitted to the accounting machine by means of electrical signals, which are utilized to operate solenoids which control the keys of the keyboard 35 of the accounting machine. The tape 79, a fragment of which is shown in detail in FIG. 11, is made from any suitable paper-like material, and contains eight possible channels of information as well as a track of sprocket holes, which are used in the feeding of the tape. Information is encoded in the tape by perforation thereof in the various channels, according to the code employed, and is in the form of discrete frames," each of which includes a three-digit account number, a plurality of characters corresponding to the various banks of the accounting machine keyboard, and a trip symbol, shown in FIG. 11 as constituting perforations in

channels

1, 2, and 3. The two characters representing the transaction rows of the accounting machine will always be present in a frame, while the number of characters representing amount and check count information will vary according to the information in the frame. It will be noted that reading of a frame always commences with an account number and coneludes with a trip symbol, and is in a direction from right to left, as shown in FIG. 11. The manner in which the information is read from the tape by the reading device 33, transmitted to the accounting machine, and caused to operate the accounting machine for the entry of information therein. will be described in detail subsequently.

Information may also be entered into the accounting ma chine manually, by means of the protruding key tips of the keyboard 35. The information entered either through the tape reader 33 or by means of manual entry on the keyboard 35 is combined with the data read by the accounting machine from the ledger card 34 to form new balances. In a new balance recording operation, the data pertaining to the new balance is printed on the ledger card 34; the previous magnetically stored data is erased; and the new balance, and related data pertaining to the new balance, are magnetically stored on the card in its place.

The accounting machine is provided with a number of safeguards to insure correctness of the pickup operation. One of these safeguards is a check to be sure that all of the data has been read from the card. Failure to read any data will prevent the entry of the remaining data into the machine, and will cause the feeding device 32 to cease operation.

Another of these safeguards is a check to be sure that the data which was read has been correctly entered into the machine by comparing the data actually set in the machine with the data actually recorded on the card. This is accomplished by first reading the ledger card and controlling the setting of the machine according to the data which was read, and then reading the card a second time and comparing the second reading with the actual setting of the machine. If there is no argecment, the further normal operation of the machine is prevented. and only a corrective operation of the machine may take place.

A further safeguard cooperates with the above two to insure that overprinting on the ledger card will be avoided. This involves the automatic recording of the line number on the card corresponding to the line on which the next printing is to be made. Accordingly, if the number is read correctly and is correctly set in the machine, as indicated by the two safeguards previously mentioned, then the card will be positioned in the next operation with the proper line thereon in printing position.

The accounting machine is provided with a further safeguard to insure the correctness of entries. This involvcs a comparison of account numbers, one account number being provided on each ledger card and relating to the account for that particular card, and another account number being provided for each frame of information contained on the paper tape which is read by the tape reading unit 33. Comparison of these numbers. in a manner to be subsequently described, insures that information relating to checks and deposits will be posted upon the correct account. Also, an account number keyboard 36 is provided, on which the account number may be set when it is desired to enter such a number manually. Failure of the account numbers to agree in any instance will cause the card 34 to be fed from the machine immediately and will prevent data from being entered into the machine from the tape read by the tape reading unit 33 at that time.

These automatic safeguards and checking means, together with the usual interlocks and controls, insure virtually error-proof operations without the necessity for running proofs on work already performed.

The accounting machine is provided with a data storage means, in which the balance and the check count are stored when they are read and are retained until it is determined that something has been read from each channel on the card and that there has been an agreement between the account number read from the card and that entered into the machine from the punched paper tape through the unit 33, or by means of the account number keyboard 36. If data was read from each channel on the card, and if the account numbers agree, then the balance and the cheek count are entered into the totalizcr and the counter of the machine under control of the data storage means. If there is a failure to read data from any channel on the card, the feeding device 32 is caused to cease operation. If the account numbers do not agree, the card is immediately fed from the machine, as indicated above, and the balance and the check count are not entered into the totalizer and the counter of the machine. By thus storing the balance and the check count until it is determined that data has been read from all of the channels on the card and until it is determined that there is agreement between the account numbers, incorrect entries and corrective operations of the machine are minimized.

The accounting machine is also provided with extremely flexible controls which enable it to perform different types of operations involving reading and recording operations on the cards. For example, with one setting of the controls, the card-reading operation may be eliminated, and data may be set up on the keys of the machine and recorded magnetically on the card. With another setting of the controls, a normal posting operation may take place involving the reading of the card to pick up the old balance, the entering of checks and/or deposits by operating the machine under control of the tape-reading unit 33 or the keys of the keyboard 35, and the recording of the new balance on the card. With a further setting of the controls, the machine may be controlled to transfer certain stored data from one card to another, as at the end of the month or accounting period or when a ledger card has been filled, and in this operation data is read from a card and set up in the machine, the old card is removed from the machine and a new card put in the machine, and certain of the data which was read is recorded on the new card. With still a further setting, the controls are effective to cause the machine to operate in a trial balance operation, in which the stored data is read, the old balance and the check count are entered into the machine, and the card is ejected without erasure of the stored data or the record ing of any further data thereon. For a further, more detailed description of the construction and operation of an accounting machine similar to the accounting machine 31, but designed for manual entry of check and/or deposit information, reference may be had to the United States patent application Serial No. 610,754, filed September 19, 1956, by Konrad Ran-ch et al., inventors, now Patent No. 2,947,475, issued August 2, 1960.

The feeding device 32 is capable of being moved into and out of an operative relation with the accounting machine 31, to enable the machine 31 to he used by itself for manual operation. Associated with the feeding device 32 are two

bins

40 and 41, into which ledger cards 34 may be automatically placed after being ejected from the accounting machine 31 upon completion of an accounting transaction. Either one of the bins 4t) and 41 may be selected to receive a ledger card ejected from the accounting machine 31 under control of a signal from said machine. For example, cards bearing positive balances may be sorted into one bin. while cards having overdraft balances are sorted into the other. For a more detailed description of the feeding device 32, reference may he had to the United States patent application, Serial No. 770,673, filed October 30, 1958, by Henrv Grosnickle, Jr., et al., inventors.

System Operation To facilitate understanding of the system of the present invention, a general description of typical operations of the automated accounting system will be given.

The system will first be described as it functions in a typical series of posting operations. In such a series of operations, the account ledger cards pertaining to the vari ous accounts are grouped in stacks of 1,000 in numerical order. At the top of each stack of cards is a special control card.

A selected stack of cards is first inserted into the feeder 32. A length of punched paper tape 79 hearing data relating to the accounts represented by the stack of ledger cards is then positioned in the tape-reading device for sensing by the tape reader 75.

To initiate operation of the automated system, the operator indexes an account number manually on the reader control panel, which number has been read by the operator from the top card of the stack. Indexing of this number manually furnishes a check that the correct stack of cards and the correct tape are being used, since the number indexed manually will be the same as the control number on the control card, and should be the same as a control number to be read from the first frame of information on the tape.

Operation of the feeder is then initiated, so that the first ledger card is fed from the feeding device 32 to the accounting machine 31. The account number is picked up from the card by the accounting machine in the manner previously described, and is electrically compared with an account number which has been entered into storage switches in the tape-reading unit 33 by the manual indexing means. Since the control number which has been indexed manually into the storage switches by switch control means on the reader control panel will compare properly with the control number read from the control card, the accounting machine 31 will make a balance pick-up operation, and an operation of the reader will then be initiated. The comparator number contained in the first frame of information on the tape 79 will be sensed by the tape reader 75, and will be compared with the control number manually indexed on the reader control panel 80.

If the control number read from the tape corresponds to the control number manually indexed, a Signal is generated by the comparator mechanism to operate the tape reader 75. Although the first frame of information on the tape is purely for comparator checking purposes, spurious additional information is contained on this frame to effect a cycling of the accounting machine 31, so that the proper sequence of operations is performed to condition the system for subsequent reading of the first frame of true account information from the tape.

If, on the other hand, the control number read from the tape does not correspond to the control number manually indexed, the accounting machine is controlled to make a new balance operation, and the control card is ejected from the accounting machine as the first true account card is fed by the feeder 32 into the accounting machine. The comparator number is sensed from this card and compared by the system with the number read from the tape. Since this number will not correspond to the stored numher, this account card is ejected, and another card is fed by the feeder 32 to the accounting machine 31. Since the control number stored will not correspond to any of the account numbers on the ledger cards, this process of feeding and ejecting cards will continue until a card count control mechanism in the system functions to lock the system against operation. This device counts the number of cards consecutively fed into the accounting machine and rejected, and locks the machine after a predetermined number of such operations. This is effective to inform the operator that there has been a comparison failure, and steps may then be taken to check the tape against the card stack, and to select another tape or another card stack so that the two match, for proper operation of the system.

It will be recalled that the information previously read from the tape was initial control infon'nation for checking the proper matching of the ledger card stack and the punched paper tape. Now, when the reader starts to read the next frame of information, the next thing to be read is the account number of the first account to be posted. This new account number which is entered into the accounting machine does not, of course, correspond to the control number which was read from the control card previously entered into the accounting machine. This lack of correspondence is effective to cause the accounting ma- 7 chine to perform a new balance operation and eject th control card.

The card feeder then feeds the next card of the stricl; into the accounting machine while simultaneousl ejecting the control card. A pickup of information from this card is then attempted by the accounting mail Que. if the account number on the card corresponds to the account number entered into the storage SH be from the pu bed paper tape, the account card is retained in the mac me in preparation for posting operations upon it. 'lowcver, the account number on the card does not c ri'eripoml to the account number on the tape which has been entered into the storage switches, this account card is ejected, and another account card is fed into the accounting machine from the feeder, at which time its account number is compared with the number entered into the storage switches from the tape.

Let it be assumed that the first check or deposit to be posted is on the No. 3 account, s d account being contained on the third card in the stack. it wil therefore. be seen that the account numbers on the tirst two cards of the stack will not agree with the account number read from the tape and entered into the machine. and that these cards will, accordingly, be ejected immediately rather than be retained in the accounting machine for posting. As the No. 2 card is ejected, the No. 3 card is fed into the machine, and the account number on this card is found to correspond to the account number stored in the storage switches from the tape, causing the accounting machine to pick up all of the information such as old balance, etc., contained on the No. 3 account card and enter such information into the accounting machine.

As the pickup cycle of the accounting machine is completed, the reader starts operating and completes reading of the information contained on the frame wh'ch was started with the account number. The transaction in formation and the amounts are read from the tape, causing the keys on the keyboard of the accounting machine to be depressed, after which a trip symbol is read. causing said machine to be tripped for a cycle of operation. The amount information and the control information, which relates to whether the amount is check or a deposit, are thus entered into the machine, and, upon completion of the cycling of the machine, the reader is started again to read the next account number.

In connection with the initial comparison of the co:-. trol number on the tape with the number on the control card, it will be noted that if the stack of cards and the tape do not correspond, the number on the tape will be shown on a visual comparator number screen or: the control panel 80 of the reader and will, previously stated, cause insertion and ejection of ledger cards under shortcycle operations of the accounting machine until operation of the system is cut oil under control of the card count control mechanism.

In connection with the description of a posting operation, it is noted that if the initial pick-up of information from the ledger card by the accounting machine was incorrect in any respect, a so-called gate check results, which prevents further operation of the s in until the error condition is corrected. This is effected by a gate check signal being transmitted from the accounting machine 31 to the tape-reading unit 33, which prevents the tape reader 75 from operating and, accordingly, terminates operation of the system until the error is corrected.

Furthermore, if an account card becomes filled with recorded information during a posting operation, a signal is generated to lock the system against further operation until a new card for that account has been provided by the operator.

If an overdraft or negative balance has been pi '"d up by the accounting machine, a signal is generated by the accounting machine. The manner in which this overdraft signal is utilized is dependent upon the setting or en lition of the overdraft control switches on the control panel 89. One or more of several different alternatives may be accomplished under control of. the overdraft signal according to the setting of these switches. The first of these is that the overdraft signal is transmitted to the tape reader to prevent further operation of the reader. The automated system is thus locked against further opera tion until such time as an operator investigates and makes a decision as to what should be done with the overdraft balance.

A second alternative is that the overdraft signal may be sent to the feeder 32. to cause the ledger cards containing these overdraft balances to be sorted to a separate bin in the feeder, so that they are segregated for special treatment after the run of accounts has been completed. This sorting feature can be disabled if desired.

A third alternative is that the overdraft signal may be used to prevent the accounting machine from making a new balance opcration at the conclusion of reading of all of the frames of information related to the account upon which an overdraft balance has been noted. The accounting machine is caused to lock up when trying to make a new balance operation, and operation of the systern is thus suspended, so that an operator may investigate and decide what is to be done with the particular account involved. It should be noted that the overdraft control mechanism can be conditioned to remember" an overdraft condition throughout the posting of an account, or not, as de ired. Certain combinations of the above aiternatives are also available.

The manner in which the various components of the tape-reading device function in the proper timed relationship will now be described. In the event that there is no overdraft condition from the balance pick-up. and that the pick-up of information from the ledger card by the accounting machine is correct, then a signal is trans mitted from the accounting machine to initiate operation of the reader by tripping a single-revolution clutch to cause rotation of the cam line or" the tape reader 75. As the cam line rotates, it allows the sensing mechanism of the tape reader to sense for perforations on the tape, thereby operating the sensing switches which are contained in said tape reader.

The information-bearing signals generated from the tape by the tape reader 75 pass through a decoding network and are transmitted to a routing switch while a timing signal is simultaneously transmitted to the routing switch from cam-controlled switches in the tape reader. The timing signal is effective to cause the routing switch to be set so that signals from the tape reader which have been picked up from the tape and encoded to a suitable form are switched through the routing switch to the appropriate key bank solenoids of the accounting machine.

Continued rotation of the cam line of the tape reader 75 causes another signal to be transmitted to the routing switch to cause it to switch to the next position. At this time, the application of. power to the key-bank solenoids of the accounting machine which were energized previously for indexing into the accounting machine of information read from the tape has been terminated by another switching means.

At the same time. the rotation of the cam line prepares the tape-reading unit for initiation of its next reading cycle. If there is no disabling condition, a signal is generated to enable the tape reader 75 to commence the next reading operation. From this point on, the reading of information on the tape is in proper sequence to set or index all the banks of solenoidoperated keys on the accounting machine according to the information conteined in the punched paper tape.

A trip symbol is included on each frame of information on the tape and is the last item read on each frame. Reading of a trip symbol by the tape reader 75 results in g'cneratit'm of a frat ignal to cause to nination of the reading operation. Also, a second signal is tjLllCPlittl to trip the accounting machine for entry of the item, such as check or deposit, which has been indexed on the keyboard of the accounting machine through encrgization of the key-bank solenoids. Thirdly, a signal is generated to cause the signal-routing switch to return to its home position in readiness for the reading of the next frame of information from the tape.

Tripping of the accounting machine for cycling gencrates a signal which is effective to remove the "trip information from the accounting machine, and also is effective to initiate an operation of the tape-reading unit when the accounting machine has com leted cycling, if such operation is not otherwise disabled due to other conditions Within the system.

In the event that the cycling of the accounting machine has caused the last line on the ledger card to be used, a switch in the accounting machine is closed to generate a signal to prevent operation of the tape reader 75. A new account card may then be started, through the procedure of having the operator make a manual new balance operation on the accounting machine with the old card therein; making a balance pickup operation from the old card; removing the old card; inserting a new account card; and taking a sub-balance on said new card. Automatic operation of the system may then be commenced by manual operation of a switch on the control panel 80.

When a new frame of information is presented on the tape to the tape-reading unit, initiation of reading is caused by completion of the cycling of the accounting machine and its return to home position. Upon such completion, a signal is generated to start rotation of the cam line of the tape reader 75. The reader 75 is thereby rendered effective to read the account number information by means of plurality of switches which are set by sensing means in accordance with information encoded on the tape. At the same time, the previously-mentioned routing switch is operated to select the proper account number storage switch corresponding to the order or denomination of the account number read from the tape, for transmission of the tape-generated signal to said storage switch.

If the account number in the hundreds order sent to the corresponding comparator storage switch is the same as the number previously stored in said switch, a signal is sent to a parity-checking and answer-back network for comparison with a signal sent from the switches operated by the tape-sensing means for checking of parity. If the combination of signals in the parity-checking and answer-back network indicates a proper checking, a signal is then sent to the tape reader 75 for operation and reading of the next order of the comparator number from the tape.

In the event that the comparator storage switch has another number stored therein than has been read from the tape, then the storage switch corresponding to the selected order or denomination steps until the position of the switch agrees with the number that has been read from. the tape. Stepping of the switch causes a signal to be generated, indicating a change of the comparator number. Such a signal is eifective, at the conclusion of reading of all of the orders of the comparator numher, to cause a new balance operation of the accounting machine.

When the comparator storage switch has stepped to the position indicated by the information transmitted to it from the tape reader 75, a signal is sent to the parity checking network, which signal is compared with the signal sent thereto from the switches operated by the tapesensing means in the manner previously described. If the two signals check, indicating even parity and proper positioning of the storage switch, a signal is generated to cause reading of the second order of the comparator number. If, however, there is no parity check, a signal is sent to the visual comparator indication on the panel 80 to light the visual comparator indicator, thus indicating incorrect comparison. Also, a signal is generated to cnable manual positioning of the comparator stepping switch means, and another signal acts to disable the tape reader against further operation.

Reading, storage, and comparison of the second and third order comparator numbers are the same as those described above for the first order. In addition, on the third order operation, a signal is generated for determi nation of whether the system should continue to read, or whether there should be a new balance operation. In the event that all of the comparator numbers read from that frame of the tape correspond to the previous setting of the comparator storage switches, the decision is made to continue to read, and a signal is generated to initiate reading of the tape for another posting operation. If, on the other hand, one or more of the comparator numbers read from that frame of the tape do not correspond to the setting of the corresponding comparator storage switches, a decision is made to effect a new balance operation of the accounting machine. It, of course, is assumed that no disabling signal has been generated by the overdraft control means of the accounting machine to rcvent initiation of a new balance operation.

At the some time that a signal was being sent from the comparator storage switches to the parity-checking network for parity checking, a signal was also sent from the comparator storage switches to the visible comparator indication means on the panel 83 to cause illumination of the visual comparator indicator to provide visual indication of the comparator number which was just read from the tape.

it will be noted that as each of the three orders of the comparator number is read from the punched paper tape, the corresponding comparator storage switch which performs account number comparison with the account number read by the accounting machine from the ledger card is also conditioned for operation. The comparator storage switches then perform their comparison function when a comparator number is read by the accounting machine incident to the feeding of the next ledger card into the accounting machine.

In the above description of the functioning of the comparator number means, it should be kept in mind that the parity check is operative only with the comparator numbers and not with the various amount numbers and other information read from the tape.

DETAELED DESCRIPTION TapeReading U In! As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the tapereading unit 33 of the present invention includes a mechanical tape reader 75 mounted on a cabinet 76. Also included in the assembly are suppiy and tape-up reels 77 and 78, respectively, for the tape 79, and a control panel 80 mounted flush with the top of the cabinet 76. Electronic components used in connection with the reading of information from the tape and the transmission thereof to the accounting machine 31 are housed within the cabinet 76. Casters 31 are provided on the cabinet 76 to enable the tape-reading unit to be moved readily from place to place.

The tape reader includes a plurality of paired electrical contacts 82 (FIG. 3), which are disposed on a supporting structure 83, which is mounted on a base casting 84. Inasmuch as the present device is designed to sense any one of eight holes, or any combination thereof, in the control tape, there are eight contacts under the control of tape perforations. The contacts in the oppositely-dis posed rows are arranged on the supporting structure 83 in staggered relation, so that they may be individually controlled by interposer mechanism which will be more fully descriped at a lateppoint.

Each pair of contact devices consists of a fixed conducting strip 85, on one end of which is a contact point,

Claims

4. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, CAPABLE OF SENSING INFORMATION FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA, PERFORMING COMPUTATIONS WITH THE INFORMATION SENSED, AND RECORDING THE RESULT OF THE COMPUTATIONS ON ONE OF THE TWO TYPES OF MEDIA, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING COMPUTING MEANS CAPABLE OF SENSING INFORMATION FROM A FIRST TYPE OF MEDIUM AND PERFORMING ARITHMETIC COMPUTATIONS USING SAID INFORMATION, INCLUDING TOTAL-TAKING OPERATIONS; READING MEANS FOR SENSING DATA FROM A SECOND TYPE OF MEDIUM; MEANS CONTROLLED BY THE READING MEANS FOR ENTERING DATA FROM THE SECOND TYPE OF MEDIUM INTO THE COMPUTING MEANS; OVERDRAFT MEANS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER THE TOTAL OF DATA COMPUTED BY THE COMPUTING MEANS IS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IN SIGN; FIRST OVERDRAFT-RESPONSIVE MEANS CAPABLE OF PREVENTING FURTHER OPERATION OF THE READING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO A NEGATIVE TOTAL; SECOND OVERDRAFT-RESPONSIVE MEANS CAPABLE OF PREVENTING FURTHER TOTAL-TAKING OPERATION OF THE COMPUTING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO A NEGATIVE TOTAL; OVERDRAFT SELECTOR MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY RENDERING EITHER THE FIRST OVERDRAFT-RESPONSIVE MEANS OR THE SECOND OVERDRAFT-RESPONSIVE MEANS EFFECTIVE TO FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A NEGATIVE TOTAL; SORTING MEANS FOR SORTING A RECORD MEMBER OF THE FIRST TYPE INTO ONE OF A PLURALITY OF RECEPTACLES UPON COMPLETION OF ITS USE BY THE COMPUTING MEANS; AND MEANS CONTROLLED BY THE OVERDRAFT SELECTOR MEANS TO OPERATE THE SORTING MEANS TO CAUSE A RECORD MEMBER OF SAID FIRST TYPE TO BE SORTED INTO A SELECTED RECEPTACLE IN THE EVENT THAT A NEGATIVE TOTAL IS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH.